Eddie Wood, of Homer, demonstrates dance steps with Stephanie Almaraz in a Spanish class on May 5, 2008 at Soldotna High School. Wood, who travels the peninsula playing percussion and teaching salsa, is hosting his first open class for adults in Soldotna with local artist Kaitlin Vadla on Thursday. (Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion-File)

Put your best foot forward with salsa dance class

Those looking to add a little spice to their lives this week need look no further than Odie’s Deli in Soldotna, though not for food.… Continue reading

Eddie Wood, of Homer, demonstrates dance steps with Stephanie Almaraz in a Spanish class on May 5, 2008 at Soldotna High School. Wood, who travels the peninsula playing percussion and teaching salsa, is hosting his first open class for adults in Soldotna with local artist Kaitlin Vadla on Thursday. (Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion-File)
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, in a scene from “The LEGO Batman Movie.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: A pair of sweet treats at the theater

“John Wick Chapter 2” Summit Entertainment 2 hours, 2 minutes “The Lego Batman Movie” Warner Bros. 1 hour, 44 minutes As I write this, it’s… Continue reading

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, in a scene from “The LEGO Batman Movie.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: A book you can sink your teeth into

The Bookworm Sez: A book you can sink your teeth into

You’ve got a packed schedule. Extra meetings, vacation planning, guests arriving, errands, it’s a lot to do but one thing’s for certain: you’ll find time… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: A book you can sink your teeth into
Bookworm Sez: You really can’t remember.

Bookworm Sez: You really can’t remember.

For sure, something important happened years ago, something you should recall very easily, but time’s made things fuzzy. Have you forgotten or, worse yet, have… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: You really can’t remember.
'La La Land' is doing gangbuster business

‘La La Land’ is doing gangbuster business

“La La Land Lion’s Gate 2 hour, 8 minutes Last week I spent a lot of time whining about how I was too sick to… Continue reading

'La La Land' is doing gangbuster business
This image released by A24 Films shows Alex Hibbert in a scene from the film, “Moonlight.” Nominees for the 89th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. (David Bornfriend/A24 via AP)

Reeling it in: Handicapping the Oscars

Typically being too sick to go to the movies in late January wouldn’t be a huge loss. The month is full of throw-away dreck like… Continue reading

This image released by A24 Films shows Alex Hibbert in a scene from the film, “Moonlight.” Nominees for the 89th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. (David Bornfriend/A24 via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: Steamy bedrooms and cold revenge

The Bookworm Sez: Steamy bedrooms and cold revenge

Catch me if you can. You might have said that once, giggling. You may have yelled it at a game one afternoon. You said it,… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Steamy bedrooms and cold revenge

Economy comedian to make stop in Soldotna

Kenai Peninsula residents looking for a laugh this week will have an opportunity to see a live comedy act Thursday, albeit with a heavy dose… Continue reading

Photo by Michael Penn/Juneau Empire  Christine Carpenter holds one of her artworks in the Alaska Robotics Gallery on Jan. 6,she made after being raped in Italy.

Sexual assault survivor finds freedom in art inspired from her diary

“I think it’s powerful and addresses something that isn’t often talked about in public,” Lauren Brooks, a former advocate for Aiding Women in Abuse and… Continue reading

Photo by Michael Penn/Juneau Empire  Christine Carpenter holds one of her artworks in the Alaska Robotics Gallery on Jan. 6,she made after being raped in Italy.
The best and worst of 2016

The best and worst of 2016

2016 is come and gone and though it was definitely a dramatic year in a lot of ways, I’m not sure how monumental it was… Continue reading

The best and worst of 2016
The Bookworm Sez: Putting fat in perspective

The Bookworm Sez: Putting fat in perspective

Here’s something important: your pants don’t fit anymore. The blame, you’re sure, lands squarely with the holidays: too many toddies, too much figgy pudding. Perhaps… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Putting fat in perspective
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Ash, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, in a scene from "Sing." (Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Sing’ has chops; ‘Assassin’s Creed’ stumbles

“Sing” Universal Pictures 1 hour, 48 minutes   “Assassin’s Creed” Twentieth Century Fox 1 hour, 55 minutes   This week, with Christmas break in full… Continue reading

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Ash, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, in a scene from "Sing." (Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via AP)

What’s Happening for Jan. 5

Events and Exhibitions ■ The Performing Arts Society announces the return of two favorites in concert. Flutist Tomoka Raften will join forces with UAA guitarist… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Will it really make us stronger? Book aims to find out

The Bookworm Sez: Will it really make us stronger? Book aims to find out

You might need an extra blanket tonight. Or three, because the temperature doesn’t seem to match your comfort level. Brrrrrrrrr. Yes, it’s winter and yes,… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Will it really make us stronger? Book aims to find out

Poet’s Corner: Debbie

DebbieBy Brent Johnson, Clam Gulch Could we hear cottonwoods whispering soft?The voice must be Debbie’s somewhere aloft.Ole cutie owl hootie-hoo’s to the dovebeams like a… Continue reading

What’s Happening for Dec. 29

Events and Exhibitions ■ An exhibit of black and white photography and drawings by Sue Biggs and Mary Broderick is on display at the Kenai… Continue reading

This image released by Columbia Pictures, Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Chris Pratt in a scene from the film, Passengers." (Jaimie Trueblood/Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Passengers’ finds itself crashing at the end

“Passengers” Sony Pictures 1 hour, 56 minutes   Marketing a big-budget, high concept film is always going to be a tricky business. Sometimes, in an… Continue reading

This image released by Columbia Pictures, Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Chris Pratt in a scene from the film, Passengers." (Jaimie Trueblood/Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)
FILE - In this April 22, 2016 file photo, flowers lie on a T-shirt signed by fans at a makeshift memorial for musician Prince outside the Apollo Theater in New York. The singer died April 21, 2016, at the age of 57. With the loss of several icons of Generation X's youth, the year 2016 has left the generation born between the early 1960s and the early 1980s, wallowing in memories and contemplating its own mortality. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

With the loss of its celebrities, Gen X ponders mortality

Princess Leia was our first girl movie heroine, and we made our moms braid brunette yarn so we’d have earmuff buns for Halloween. Carol Brady… Continue reading

FILE - In this April 22, 2016 file photo, flowers lie on a T-shirt signed by fans at a makeshift memorial for musician Prince outside the Apollo Theater in New York. The singer died April 21, 2016, at the age of 57. With the loss of several icons of Generation X's youth, the year 2016 has left the generation born between the early 1960s and the early 1980s, wallowing in memories and contemplating its own mortality. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
Savanna Bradley's "Chronicle of a Plant Foretold" was inspired by the Drew family diaries.

Diaries inspire artists in Pratt Museum exhibit

Among cultural institutions in Homer, the Pratt Museum has pioneered a unique spot. As a museum of natural history, history, culture and art, its exhibits… Continue reading

Savanna Bradley's "Chronicle of a Plant Foretold" was inspired by the Drew family diaries.
The Bookworm Sez: TV books make for good read

The Bookworm Sez: TV books make for good read

The weather outside is frightful.That’s alright. You’d rather stay inside anyhow, especially in the evening. That’s prime relaxation-time, and winter is a great season for… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: TV books make for good read